Douva

You want to go out and pay and have your fun but you don't wanna foot the bill when you get broken to pay me for fixing you? And you aren't willing to chip into the insurance that will pay me for fixing you? All because there exist all these ways to get out of personal responsibility for your actions. I'd like you to tell the plumber that you can't pay him cause you don't have the cash, or tell the power company "hey, let's work it out." If you can't pay, don't fucking play. Attitudes like this make me fucking sick. Attitudes like yours make me sick. You haven't got a clue what life is like for somebody working 40-60 hours a week to make $25,000-$30,000 per year. You make a six figure income and have your health insurance paid by your employer, and you presume to preach to the rest of us about how we spend our meager incomes. How about we just socialize medicine, cut your salary to about 1/3 - 1/4 of what it currently is, and then EVERYBODY can afford health care. Does that plan work for you? That you would get so upset that I suggested bankruptcy might be an option for a person earning $30,000 per year and facing a $500,000 medical bill is inexcusable. This is the type of detached attitude that's historically lead to revolutions around the world (France, Russia, etc). EDITED TO ADD: PS. I have health insurance. way to go and stick your foot in your mouth. I hardly make a six figure income yet. But you're right, I will. It's called a reward for working my fucking ass off to get here. And working my ass off to keep it. It's not like you get to the top and all of a sudden it's all milk and fucking honey. Someone working 40-60 hours a week and only making $25-30K....can't afford health insurance? You shouldn't be skydiving. If you go off and get a $500K medical bill cause you were in a car accident from a drunk driver....sure, I can see writing that off. HOWEVER, you roll your fucking dice when you leave that plane. You do it without health insurance, femur yourself in.....well, tough shit. You made that choice, now deal with the consequences. Your sheer lack of thought to personal responsibiltiy is absurd. Let's all go ahead and do all this shit we can't afford to do. Everyone else will bail us out. It's thoughts like this that let women keep popping out babies just to get a bigger welfare check. I'm fucking sick and tired of paying for people who have no desire to take responsibility for their own actions. My original post wasn't about skydiving without insurance. It was about people who can't afford insurance. The only line relating to skydiving was the one line at the end that said, "As for people making the decision between recreational activities and health insurance, that's a personal decision, but I'd be hesitant to suggest there's one answer that is right for everybody." I don't think it makes sense for a person to put himself or herself into debt as a means of avoiding putting himself or herself into debt. You act as if every person who jumps out of an airplane will eventually need the use of their health insurance to treat a skydiving injury. In fact, only a small percentage will. Your idea of personal responsibility seems to be that nobody should ever undertake an action for which he or she cannot readily handle every possible outcome. That's ridiculous. There are very few actions for which we can be fully prepared for every possible outcome. There are plenty of people earning $25,000-$30,000 per year who work every bit as hard, if not harder, than you and the rest of the doctors out there. I'm not going to presume to tell those people that they don't deserve to skydive because they don't have the means to pay the medical bills they might face, in the minute chance they are seriously injured. We don't have bankruptcy laws so that people can go on shopping sprees with their credit cards; we have those laws so that people can have a second chance if they are inadvertently extended beyond their means. Perhaps you would prefer we go back to the old debtor's prison system? I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

You want to go out and pay and have your fun but you don't wanna foot the bill when you get broken to pay me for fixing you? And you aren't willing to chip into the insurance that will pay me for fixing you? All because there exist all these ways to get out of personal responsibility for your actions. I'd like you to tell the plumber that you can't pay him cause you don't have the cash, or tell the power company "hey, let's work it out." If you can't pay, don't fucking play. Attitudes like this make me fucking sick. Attitudes like yours make me sick. You haven't got a clue what life is like for somebody working 40-60 hours a week to make $25,000-$30,000 per year. You make a six figure income and have your health insurance paid by your employer, and you presume to preach to the rest of us about how we spend our meager incomes. How about we just socialize medicine, cut your salary to about 1/3 - 1/4 of what it currently is, and then EVERYBODY can afford health care. Does that plan work for you? That you would get so upset that I suggested bankruptcy might be an option for a person earning $30,000 per year and facing a $500,000 medical bill is inexcusable. This is the type of detached attitude that's historically lead to revolutions around the world (France, Russia, etc). EDITED TO ADD: I have insurance. I've had it for four now. For four years before that, I didn't have it. In my whole life, I've never filed a health insurance claim. The plumber and the power company don't expect someone to pay $100/month, regardless of whether or not that person ever uses their services. And when a person does use the services of a plumber or the power company, that person isn't slapped with a bill that's 10-20 times his or her annual income. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

Nobody takes a job as a skydiving instructor because it's the only work he or she can find. Like other forms of self-employment, working as a skydiving instructor is a choice, and like other forms of self-employment, you make some sacrifices for the freedom of being self-employed. I don't see any need to attract more instructors. In fact, at most of the drop zones I've visited, there seems to be an abundance of rating holders. Passing the cost of instructor health insurance on to jumpers would decrease the total number of jumps made (basic high school economics--supply and demand) and hurt a lot of already struggling DZ's. A person does not have to put his or her life on hold simply because he or she doesn't have health insurance. There are about nine million Americans who are chronically without health insurance, and the vast majority of them are not bankrupted by injuries. Being without health insurance is not the best scenario, but it is manageable. Hospitals cannot refuse treatment to a seriously injured person, and hospitals must work out payment plans with people who cannot afford their medical bills. Also, although bankruptcy is not an ideal option, this is exactly why bankruptcy laws exist, to prevent people form being ruined by debt they cannot pay. Too many people put themselves into bad financial situations (i.e., credit card debt) in order to pay $100 or more per month for health insurance, because they're afraid of putting themselves into a bad financial situation if they should be injured or become ill. What is the logic in that? As for people making the decision between recreational activities and health insurance, that's a personal decision, but I'd be hesitant to suggest there's one answer that is right for everybody. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

This was my only jump this weekend. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

Look at good ol' Lubbock, Texas, representing on DZ.com. What year did you leave Lubbock, Shotgun? I got out in 2000. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

Lighten up, Francis. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

Perhaps Gnarls Barkley should be added to the list of performers/albums prohibited by the "Overused Tandem Music Act of 1999," along with Tom Petty and the Top Gun soundtrack. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

Yeah, the ultimate plan for you and EVERYBODY ELSE. If you don't already have an up-armored humvee BEFORE the zombies attack, just forget about it. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

_______________________________ All I've seen of Dane Cook was, the HBO series... I don't get out much. What I did see of him, I thike he's hilarious. Maxim, is a cheap 'rag' trying to appeal to young men 18 - 35. I've read it a few times and it's just simple-minded drivel. Chuck I didn't care much for the series, but at least the stand-up he did on the series was his old material (aka the good stuff). I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

Interesting Link #1 Interesting Link #2 I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

Dane Cook used to be funny, back when he was making observations about how most guys would rather be part of a heist or own a monkey than have sex. Now he's all unoriginal observations, scatological humor, and self-referential catchphrases. He reminds me of a lot of standup comedians. They start off with really funny material, but then they get famous; start doing movies, TV, etc.; and basically start phoning it in. They can get laughs just by showing up and smiling at the audience, so they never really have to overcome the creative hurdle of topping their initial success. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

Gnarls Barkley was 48 on Maxim's list of the "50 Lamest Things," but Dane Cook had the even lamer ranking of 43. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this stand-up superstar stopped coming up with funny material back around....Oh, I'd say somewhere around the time everyone started hearing about him. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

You are not unique. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

If you're a teenage girl, maybe your blog is simply your online diary, but for some people, it's a public forum and a creative outlet. Most of the bloggers I know are intelligent, articulate adults with something to say. As a struggling writer, I use my blog as an occasional outlet for my writing energy. I get a lot of comments and compliments on it, so apparently it's not entirely unappreciated. For a lot of people, the process of writing a blog is an end unto itself. It's therapy. It's a way to get their thoughts in order. Think of it what you will, but it's hard to deny that blogging is a more meaningful use of one's time than post whoring on DZ.com. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

Considering how few people could hit a deer from a mile away, even with a .50 BMG sniper rifle, I don't think it's too unfair to the deer. A friend of mine shot a deer with a single shot .50. He said it folded the deer in half. He also said the meet was like Jello, completely bloodshot from the trauma. It's not a practical hunting weapon, unless, perhaps, you're hunting really big game. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

I wouldn't knock his position just yet - different strokes - I think running in inclement weather does let you mix it up and can give a better workout. Others think the consistency is good. I have olympic style free weights at home. and dumbbells. The gym stuff equiment is better because it's double instead single chrome, but other than that no difference. It's only harder at home as I have no spotters - but as I get older reps are more important that resistance now. Changeout on the bench with lat and leg attachments doesn't take any longer than walking to the next machine in the gym would, either. And I don't have 30 users a day on my stuff, so mine will last longer. Ditto on my elliptical. It's cheaper in the long run to have your own stuff. Just don't short change yourself - buy the professional grade stuff (not "commercial" grade, "professional grade") - I don't agree that you get better resistance and motion. That comes from comparing to cheap crap. the trade off? for some, it's easier to motivate if you have somewhere to go instead of at home. And much easier to regularly workout with friends. I also think it's silly to buy a membership, drive a half mile, and then run on a treadmill..... But a gym has a LOT more than just a treadmill.. (BTW - I work out 6 days a week) In the end - whatever it takes to have a regular program is what works for that person. Arguing over what's better for working out is like arguing over what tastes better at an Arby's. That's different - Nobody mentioned a REAL gym like Golds... I thought the assumption was "health clubs" I don't think we're comparing apples to apples. I'm talking about the difference between the machines at a real gym and "home gym" machines. Sure, your free weights are pretty much the same stuff you're going to find at the gym, but the original poster was talking about a "home gym abbowriderflexthigy." THESE are "home gyms." There's no comparison between "home gym" multi-exercise machines and the commercial use single-exercise machines. The gym stuff is far superior. Running outside is great if you're training for competition or combat, but if you just want a good cardio/leg endurance workout, inclement weather is more than most people want to deal with. I agree with you that free weights should be incorporated into any workout program. Anyone whose workout routine doesn't include resistance training with weights needs to look at some of the recent studies on the subject. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

Basically, yes. Professional gym equipment has more fluid, consistent movement and a wider range of motion. Professional gym equipment also offers more adjustment points, allowing a user to fit the equipment more precisely to his or her body. Also, professional gym equipment is made of heavier materials and put together with sturdier construction techniques. There is a reason you don't see a bunch of home gym equipment at your local Gold's Gym, and it's not because Gold's Gym likes spending $3,000 a piece for machines that only does one exercise each. It's because you get a much better workout on professional gym equipment. The quality difference between home gym equipment and professional gym equipment isn't a controversial issue amongst people in the know; it's a widely accepted fact. As for dumbbells, dumbbells are dumbbells, assuming you have adjustable weight dumbbells or multiple dumbbells in varying weights, as well as a good adjustable bench that allows you to configure it for each exercise. Still, some exercises, particularly leg exercises, are very difficult to do with dumbbells, and you spend a lot more time working out with dumbbells at home, because of time spent adjusting your bench and changing out your weights, than you would spend if you were moving from bench to bench or machine to machine at the gym. I work out primarily with free weights, so I could get a free weight set at home and do almost the exact same workout without ever leaving my house, but with setup changes, it would take me nearly twice as long. Plus, I work from home, so I enjoy the social interaction at the gym and the opportunity to get out of my home/office at least once a day. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

So you like riding your bike in all weather. Good for you. But it's still ridiculous to assert that purchasing a gym membership is pointless. "Doing shit outside" is great==certainly leaps and bounds beyond what most people do--but riding your bike daily doesn't give you the same well-rounded workout and health benefits as spending an hour a day in a gym. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

right, unless your too lazy to park somewhere else and ,science forbid, walk there!! am i the only person that thinks driving a car to the gym is by far the most retarded thing ever, why not just save the memebership money and buy your own home gym abbowriderflexthigy. my roomate just joined a gym, she drives there (less then half a mile, then runs on a treadmill.) she pays $30 A MONTH to run in place. yet theyres tons of pavement (not to mention awesome singletrack just as far away) to run on for FREE!! You don't work out, do you? Anyone with much experience with gym equipment knows that home exercise machines can't hold a candle to the stuff at the gym. Also, when you run outdoors, you have to deal with inclement weather, allergens, etc. Yesterday morning it was thirty degrees outside, but it was seventy degrees inside my gym. Six months ago it was 105 degrees outside, but it was still seventy degrees in my gym. For $30-$50 per month, those of us with gym memberships have the peace of mind of knowing that we can work out every day (unless there's a damn ice storm) on quality equipment that we could never personally afford, in a temperate climate that nature could never provide. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

Okay, now I HAVE to have one. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

IT'S CLOSED BECAUSE THE PUSSIES IN THIS TOWN CAN'T HANDLE A LITTLE F**CKING ICE! I really think the SOB's should just give me my own key to the gym. Now I'm stuck at home trying to figure out how to rearrange furniture so that I can do wind sprints from one end of the house to the other. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

Dammit, I REALLY don't want to lose power right now. I want to finish writing, go to bed, and wake up tomorrow in a house that doesn't feel like a snow cave. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

Look at BRYANGOESBOOM's sig line. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

1. This paragraph is primarily plagued with spelling issues, not grammar issues. 2. I'm going to hunt you down and kill you for making me read it. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

3 years old - Dad took me to an air show. Air Force skydiving team jumped in, trailing pink smoke, while the speaker system played the theme from Superman. 4/5 years old - I enjoyed getting my dad to cut up old bed sheets and make tiny parachutes that I could tie to old soda bottles. I'd put insects in the soda bottles and make them my little paratroopers. I wanted him to make me a big parachute I could use to jump out of my tree house, but he informed me that wouldn't work. 10 years old - A drop zone opened next to my cousins' farm in Missouri, where I used to spend a few weeks each summer. Each day we would see jumpers coming down under canopy, so finally we decided to see where they were landing and took off running across corn and soybean fields, finally chasing the canopies to the small airport next to their farm. The jumpers talked to us about jumping and showed us their gear and let us watch them pack. 10 years old - I saw Patrick de Gayardon skysurfing on TV. I tried to make a skysurfing simulator by tying a pair of shoes to a skateboard and tying the skateboard to the branch of a tree in my back yard. I was sitting on the edge of the trampoline strapping the thing on when my dad caught me and stop me. Now, having a basic understanding of physics, I realize that I would have been unable to balance on it and would have immediately flipped over and hit my head on the ground. But it was a cool idea. 15 years old - All my friends swore they were going skydiving at a nearby drop zone when they turned sixteen. I was the last of my friends to turn sixteen, so I was afraid they might go without me. This lead me to forge a birth certificate and keep it on file, just in case I needed it. In the end, none of them ever jumped. When their sixteenth birthdays rolled around, they were much more interested in driving cars than jumping out of airplanes. 18 years old - On my annual trip to visit my cousins in Missouri, I stopped by the drop zone next door and informed them that I was ready to jump. My dad agreed to pay for AFF as my high school graduation present. I asked the people at the drop zone how quickly they could get me through the training program (I was on vacation, so my time was limited). They suggested that four days might be possible but that five days was a more realistic goal. Getting through two tandems and six AFF jumps ended up taking fifty-four hours. I was hooked. I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.